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"MY FIRST GAME AT MSG"

by
Heath Price-Khan
/ Arizona Coyotes

Madison Square Garden is known throughout the world as simply "The Garden", or "The World's Most Famous Arena". It has earned that moniker because it has hosted so many memorable events ranging from heavyweight championship fights to once in a lifetime concerts. It currently hosts about 320 events per year and is anchored by the New York Rangers and New York Knicks.

The Great One retired as a Ranger in 1999. (Ezra C. Shaw /Allsport via Getty)

Hockey has been a major part of the Garden's great history with many of the game's greatest players wearing the red, white, and blue. Mark Messier and Brian Leetch gave the Garden faithful its greatest night ever when they erased the memories of "1940" in ending the 54 year Stanley Cup drought in 1994.

For the young members of the Phoenix Coyotes making their first trip to the Garden it will be a memorable day in Midtown Manhattan. It is truly the world's greatest stage, so having a big game at the Garden in that hostile environment can set the tone for a career.

Before the Coyotes travelled back east for a tough road trip, we caught up with a variety of players to get their take on playing at MSG. The young guys are clearly excited about making their debut on Broadway, and the veterans all had some great memories to share. Most notably, Head Coach Wayne Gretzky, who finished his remarkable career with the Rangers, and spent his final night as a player on the Garden ice.